Welcome to Adulting 101—a lesson on how to make it on your own after college. People often say the college years will be the best years of your life, but they don’t explain why. Let’s be honest: The best part of attending college or university is living life at the meeting point of childhood and adulthood. This article isn’t meant to intimidate you, but rather to prepare you for what happens after graduation. College may be over, but Adulting 101 might be your most important class, yet.
1. Gather Additional Assets
Congratulations, you graduated! Any chance Grandma sent 50 bucks in a card? Is there any leftover money from your part-time job on campus? Did you sell your textbooks back to the bookstore? All this cash adds up quickly and could be a saving grace for you while you find your footing. Keep in mind our tips for building up your savings account on a small budget.
2. Learn to Cook
Why? Because it’s a lot cheaper than eating out every night. It’s understandably tempting to order off McDonald’s dollar menu late at night instead of hitting the grocery store, but in the long run, your wallet and bank account will be thankful if you cook your meals. This is an easy way to start saving and practicing budgeting skills.
3. Apply for a Credit Card
Chances are your parents signed you up for a debit card during college, but now that apartment hunting has entered the picture, having and establishing credit is super important. Aim for a card with a low limit (around $2,000) to avoid overspending. Remember, this is an emergency card—not a happy hour card.
4. Pick Your Next Destination Wisely
Cost of living is no joke—and it varies from state to state, country to country. State taxes are also something worth looking into. For example, Washington has very different state taxes compared to Oregon, and it’s widely known that New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are expensive cities to live in.
5. Make Money
We know—easier said than done. But in all seriousness, you’ll need money for food, rent, and gas, just to name a few everyday basics. Don’t expect to land a salaried job with a 401(k) right away. It’s okay to start small. Look for a part-time gig on Craigslist, sell some CDs or DVDs, or mow your neighbor’s lawn. Every dollar helps.
Along with following these steps, it’s important to remember that everything takes time. Finding the perfect apartment takes time, as does landing the perfect job. Life, especially right after college, is all about trial and error and learning from mistakes. It’s okay to fall flat on your face. Don’t get down on yourself. Know that a situation isn’t permanent unless you let it be. The choice is yours—after all, you’re an adult now.
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